Method of selecting the mode of operation of an optical detector or an optical multimode detector

The present invention relates to the selection of the operating mode for a Light sensor consisting of a transmitter system and a receiving system, the latter being at least one component photorezeptorisches has, capable is a significant receive signal about the presence or the removal of a Object to deliver on the emitting light path.

Such Light scanners are well known. When the detection of the interruption a luminous flux work, the emitted by the object to be detected will include, them to a first family of switches: put button, polarized or non-polarized reflection light scanner. In other is the term "reflected light" for both a polarized as a non-polarized reflection light scanner used. In case of use as put button has the Button no transmission system and an external light source must be the same Axis of the photoreceptive member to be aligned. In the event of a functioning with reflected light has a switch of Transmission system, the axis of which is adjacent to that of the photoreceptive Component, whereas a reflector aligned with the transmission axis must be to throw back the reflected light to the component.

If the light sensor on the object to be detected diffuse reflection use of light emitted from the transmission system light beam, then they belong the second sensor family which abuse a power measurement, ie the subfamily of "proximity switches", or by triangulation effect a movement measurement of the received from the photoreceptive member Laying light spot basis, ie the subfamily "proximity sensors with background suppression".

The document <patcit><text>EP 923 140</text></patcit> describes a switch with a single photoreceptive member, the response to a conscious choice for operation in reflected light mode or in the proximity switch mode is configurable. In certain cases, the semi-automatic or automatic achieving this configuration as desirable out.

The Document FR 2792732 reveals a switch with two transmission systems for emitting light beams of different wavelengths, a field relating to one of the emitters polarizing Filter and a receiving system with two outputs. After the emission analyzing selection means the reception electric signals to the not applicable transmitter inhibit, to enable the other transmitter and the receiver to a adjust operation as diffuse sensor or proximity switch.

purpose the invention is to allow a diffuse, at least in two Modes among the modes put button, Proximity switch, Proximity switch or proximity switches to work with background suppression, where he is from out in the for the given and determined by him, environmental conditions favorable Mode changes.

According to the invention is the switch configurable to either in the first mode with light beam interruption, type put button or reflection light scanner, or in the second mode with diffuse reflection light type Proximity switch or proximity switches To be activated with background suppression. The button is originally activated in the first mode (via its transmission system and its Receiving system) and the receiving system performs recognition of the first By mode, then confirmed the receiving system, and possibly the transmission system of the probe, the first mode or switches to the second mode, the on whether the first mode has been detected or not. The confirmation the first operation mode or switching to the second mode is bound to a share that can be done automatically, but is preferably triggered by the intervention of the operator. The button is thus able, its mode sequentially itself to determine.

If the button for the second mode has been configured, you can expect it automatically switches to the appropriate sub-mode. to this Purpose measures the receiving system the background distance and changes, dependent the measured distance, in the state of "proximity switches" (with determination the receive beam power in relation to a switching point) or in the state of "proximity switches with background suppression "(with processing the reception beam position).

The Invention also relates to a multimode optical switch including material means and software means for the detection and configuration, which are able to produce the configuration described.

in the Furthermore, compared with the accompanying drawings, a non- restrictive embodiment of the invention.

The <figref idrefs="S15">1</figref> is the schematic diagram of a multimode light sensor and its various outlets.

The <figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> is the schematic representation of a component, which in the two separate Modes in the button <figref idrefs="S15">1</figref> usable is.

&lt;?page 3?&gt;

The <figref idrefs="S15">3</figref> shows schematically illustrates a diagram showing the method according to the invention represents.

The <figref idrefs="S16">4</figref> provides a flow chart is over the sequence of the application process of the probe according to the invention in the four mode embodiment.

Of the Multimode optical probe of <figref idrefs="S15">1</figref> includes a transmission system <figref>10</figref>Provided with an electronic circuit <figref>11</figref> is equipped, associated software agent and a photo-emitter element <figref>12</figref>. to the emission of light E to send out. To take advantage of the light receptor R1 or R2, it has also a receiving system <figref>13</figref>. equipped a photoreceptor element <figref>14</figref> from X axis, an electronic circuit <figref>15</figref> and associated Software agents.

Two Modes of making a preliminary alignment use: A lock mode B in which the light ray R1 from an external light source <figref>16</figref> originates; provided that such source is properly aligned. The light beam is darkened as soon as an object O x in the receiving thing provides. And a light reflection R mode in which the light beam R1 is derived from an internal light source, the element from <figref>12</figref> educated will, after reflection on the reflector <figref>17</figref>, provided, that this reflector is correctly aligned. The light beam is also darkened, when an object in the receiving axis X represents and the circuit <figref>15</figref> an output of the probe dependent on at this darkening.

Other Modes come without the orientation to a reflector or an emitter, and work with the diffuse reflection of light to the object, so the mode "proximity switch" P or in mode "proximity switch with background suppression "S. The object O throws back a light beam R2, the one on the component generated light spot. In proximity switch mode P processed, the electronic circuit <figref>15</figref> the intensity change this light spot in order to detect the object. In mode proximity switch Background suppression S is the slope of the reflected light beam evaluated by triangulation and the position change of the light spot on the photoreceptor element <figref>14</figref> utilized.

Of the Button includes the material means and software means for detecting and the configuration <figref>18</figref>, The transmission system the <figref>10</figref> and the receiving system <figref>13</figref> assigned.

To the a configure the agent <figref>18</figref> the transmission system <figref>10</figref> depending on desired Mode: no emission in mode put button B (state <figref>10B</figref>) since then an external source is activated, emitting in a first wavelength in reflected light mode R (state <figref>10R</figref>) Emissions in the first wavelength or in the second wavelength the proximity switch mode P or mode proximity switch Background suppression S (state <figref>10P / S</figref>). On the other hand configure the agent <figref>18</figref> the receiving system <figref>13</figref> depending on desired Mode: state <figref>13B / R</figref> in mode put button B and the Reflected light mode R, state <figref>13P</figref> the proximity switch mode P and state <figref>13S</figref> mode proximity sensors with background suppression S.

Around the configuration of the reception system <figref>13</figref> to understand better, show the <figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> as an example, a photoreceptor element <figref>14</figref>. that for the use is useful in the invention. This component presents two zones, a <figref>14a</figref> is in the modes put button B and reflected light mode R is active, the other, <figref>14b</figref>is in the modes proximity switch P and proximity switches active background suppression S. In modes P and S , the range <figref>14a</figref> also remain active. The component presents thus several areas or output channels, the circuit <figref>15</figref> depending on selected and are activated by the circuit evaluated mode. As component <figref>14</figref> can also two adjacent photoreceptor elements <figref>14</figref> used are, for example, by baying two suitable components, for example, a photodiode for Zone <figref>14a</figref>, Active in the mode B or R, and PSD-element (position sendig device), active in the operating modes P or S. It should be noted that a PSD-element with the amplification of its output quantities and comparing the amplified sizes working.

The material means and software means for the detection and configuration <figref>18</figref> include a Microcontroller, or other logical element, the received signal the can process and evaluate Sa to a by comparison with or more switching points Sax to generate a detection signal, this means a significant reception signal corresponding to a first operating mode, or they do not comply. Depending on the state of the recognition signal on the microcontroller, the receiving system <figref>13</figref> and possibly the transmission system <figref>10</figref> on the condition that the first Mode or the second mode corresponds.

The <figref idrefs="S15">3</figref> erläutet this Process. The transmission system<figref>10</figref> and the receiving system <figref>13</figref> the button are initially in states <figref>10B</figref> or <figref>10R</figref> and <figref>13B / R</figref>. these correspond to the first mode (Mode B or R). The acquisition and configuration means <figref>18</figref> To determine if the level of received signal Sa on the switching point (significant receiving the first mode) or below the switching point (significant reception of &lt;?page 4?&gt;second mode) lies. Then, the release VA, either automatically or by Use of a retarder <figref>18a</figref>. or preferably by the action of the operator on the pushbutton <figref>19</figref>, This action confirms the configuration of the probe in the first mode M1, when the reception is significant or on the transmission system <figref>10</figref> of the switch to the state <figref>10P / S</figref> and the receiving system <figref>13</figref> to state <figref>13P</figref> or <figref>135</figref>. which corresponds to the second mode M2 ​​(can the P mode or be S), if the reception is not significant. The between states <figref>12P</figref> and <figref>13S</figref> concluded election will be described below.

The <figref idrefs="S16">4</figref> shows an example of a configuration sequence that hybridizes under for the selection of the button operation the four modes B, R, P and S is used. The configuration of course easier when the light sensor function only in two or three modes should, as reflected light mode R and proximity switch mode P, or Reflected light mode R and proximity switches Background suppression mode S, or even reflective light mode R / proximity switch mode P / proximity switch Background suppression mode S.

at initialization <figref>20</figref>That when installing the Probe is conducted on or reset by the user, starts the button alignment <figref>21</figref>, changes in this phase the transmission system <figref>10</figref> alternatively of operating cycles put button mode B (state <figref>10B</figref>: No emission) on operating cycles in the reflected light mode R (state <figref>10R</figref>: Light emission through the element <figref>12</figref>). During this time the operator aligns the button with the external emitter <figref>16</figref> or the reflector <figref>17</figref> from when the Mode B or R to be used, or does this alignment not present when the modes P or S are to be used. Of the Orientation claimed one or more elektroluminizierende Diodes on the housing and visible to the circuit <figref>15</figref> are connected. If the receiving system <figref>13</figref> After a few cycles, the presence of emitter <figref>16</figref> in response to the absence of emissions or the presence the reflector <figref>17</figref> response reports on these emissions, is the button on the lock mode B or in reflected light mode R preset.

If the operator in the phase <figref>22</figref> releasing VA deliberately confirmed to Example with a confirmation key <figref>19</figref>. are the transmission system and the reception system of the probe in lockdown mode B <figref>23</figref> or in reflection mode light R <figref>24</figref> locked depending on the results of phase <figref>21</figref>, This action will be on site or exercised from afar. If the receiving system <figref>13</figref> neither emitter nor a Reflector has recognized the transmission system and the receiving system change the button, in <figref>25</figref>In response to the release VA, on the phase <figref>26</figref>, Operation with diffused light. Transitions<figref>23</figref>. <figref>24</figref> and <figref>25</figref> show according to the selected Mode by a configuration of the transmission system <figref>10</figref>. for example, switching of the emission wavelength, and the receiving system <figref>13</figref>, By activating the photoreceptive Zones or the output channels of the element or elements <figref>14</figref>,

in phase <figref>26</figref>, Diffuse reflection light is in response on the emission of a light beam of a suitable wavelength the Distance of the background <figref>27</figref> through the circuit <figref>15</figref> measured. dependent the measurement result on the receiving system <figref>13</figref> in <figref>28</figref> the Button in the proximity switch mode P by (state <figref>13P</figref>: Processing the received energy compared to a given switching point) or in <figref>29</figref> in the proximity switch mode Background suppression mode S (state <figref>13S</figref>: Processing the position of the light spot on the photoreceptive element).

The medium <figref>18</figref> compare the input signal SA with a top and a lower switching point. It follows: If the Background distance at a predetermined interval is (for Example between 30 cm and 130 cm), the receiving system <figref>13</figref> on the condition <figref>13S</figref> "Proximity sensors with configured Background Suppression " and, if the background distance is no longer in this interval, is the receiving system <figref>13</figref> in the configuration state <figref>13P</figref> "Proximity switch". Depending on the or the photoreceptive elements in the receiving system <figref>13</figref> used are used to configure the receptor zone <figref>14a</figref>. <figref>14b</figref> or the output channels <figref>14c</figref>. <figref>14d</figref> this or these elements. When the configuration is produced, which from the election <figref>28</figref>. <figref>29</figref> results, directs the button the teach-in phase <figref>30</figref> a, in which, depending on the function type, the external emitter, the reflector or the background is taught.

Of course, Variations to the described embodiments are conceivable.